County seat

County seat is a term used in the United States and Canada to refer to an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil township. The term is used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and other English-speaking countries, but the systems of local government in these countries are different, and the term may not always apply in the same way.

History

The concept of a county seat dates back to the Middle Ages in England, where the county town would be the location of the county's administrative offices and the place where the county's sheriff would hold court. This tradition was carried over to the Thirteen Colonies in North America, and it continues to be the norm in many U.S. states and Canadian provinces.

United States

In the United States, every county has a designated county seat where the county's administrative offices are located. The county seat is often, but not always, the largest city or town in the county. In some cases, the county seat may be a small town that was chosen for its central location within the county. The county seat is typically the location of the county courthouse, where legal proceedings take place and where the county's records are kept.

Canada

In Canada, the term "county seat" is used in a similar way to the United States. However, in some provinces, such as Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador, the term "regional county municipality" is used instead of "county," and the administrative center is referred to as the "chef-lieu."

Other countries

In the United Kingdom, the term "county town" is used instead of "county seat." In Ireland, the term "county town" is also used, but the term "county seat" can refer to the principal residence of the county's landed gentry. In Australia, the term "shire town" is used in a similar way to "county seat."

See also

• List of U.S. county seats by state
• List of Canadian county seats
• County (United States)
• County (Canada)